This 1968 US Navy training film looks at the role of a Navy Advisor to the Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVNN) during the Vietnam War. At the time, the U.S. Navy had gifted many ships to the South Vietnamese, and their commanders worked very closely with U.S. Navy officers to coordinate their efforts as part of the Mobile Riverine Force. The film shows a variety of different RVNN ships and regional command headquarters. It also follows an American Advising Officer and his different roles including supporting in communication, conducting psychological warfare operations, supporting during firing exercises, and generally ensuring good relations between American and Vietnamese leadership & staff.

0:18 For official use only, 0:25 United States Navy Training Film MN 10339C, produced by Sun Dial Films Inc., 0:31 “The Navy Adviser in Vietnam”, 0:47 Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVNN) Headquarters in Saigon, 1:11 Saigon naval shipyard, 1:31 Offices of the RVNN Fleet Command, 1:53 LST 502, 1:55 PCE 09, 2:00 LSSL 229, 2:03 PGM 619, 2:10 aerial overview of coastal zone headquarters in Da Nang, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and An Thoi, 3:02 PCE 08 on a fire support mission near Da Nang with crews shown firing, 3:56 PCE crews stopping and searching a ship for contraband, 5:12 Vietnamese and American officer sharing quarters, 5:35 American and Vietnamese officers eating a meal together, 6:14 American Officer teaching English to sailors on the ship, 7:00 American Officer and Vietnamese crew visit to bring supplies to a remote village as part of a psychological warfare operation, 8:11 RVNN Navy doctor giving medical help, 8:45 American and Vietnamese Officer at Da Nang Coastal Zone Headquarters, 9:24 Republic of Vietnam Navy LSIL 331 on a gunfire mission to support land operations, 10:08 aerial overview of a river delta, 1:10 Republic of Vietnam Navy LSIL 331 on patrol with American and Vietnamese officers, 10:56 LSSL 228 on patrol in a river delta, 11:26 a series of different small armed boats patrolling on a river, including a patrol type boat with little armor or armament, at 11:44 a Point-class cutter, ex-USCG. This was a 70-ton, 82-foot (25 m) patrol vessel. At 12:09, a Monitor is shown. 12:15 summary footage showing Americans helping out their Vietnamese counterparts, 12:55 Sea Power for Security, Unclassified

The LSIL shown #331 is a Landing Ship Infantry (Large) given to the Republic of South Vietnam by the U.S. Navy. The LSILs were 234 ton, 158-foot (48 m) amphibious assault ships, designed to land large numbers of troops directly onto beaches. It could transport 188 men and 65 tons of cargo. With a crew of 28, they had a top speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph), and a range of 4,000 nmi (7,400 km) at 12 kn (22 km/h). Armament consisted of five single 20 mm guns, with additional .50 caliber machine guns. The LSSL, Landing Ship Support (Large), shown #228 was a 250 ton, 158-foot (48 m) amphibious assault ship primarily used to provide close fire support for troops. With a crew of 71, they had a top speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). The main armament was a single 3″/50 caliber gun, along with 40 mm and 20 mm guns, and .50 caliber machine guns. The Monitor shown at 12:09 was likely an LCM-6. Many LCM-6s were ladapted for the Mobile Riverine Force in the Vietnam War. Some were modified as Armored Troop Carriers (ATCs or “Tangos”), others became “Monitors” with 105mm guns, “Zippos” with flamethrowers or “Charlie” command variants.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com